A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THERMAL SPRAY AND OTHER METAL/POLYMER DEPOSITION PROCESSES AND THEIR POTENTIAL USE IN THE OIL INDUSTRY

Polymeric coatings are being used in a raising number of applications, contributing to protection against weather conditions and localized corrosion, also reducing erosion wear. The coatings may be deposited by various processes and thermal spray is being recently investigated as a new alternative. This paper reports an exploratory study into various polymer deposition processes and evaluates their influence on the quality of the produced coating, concerning dispersion, cohesiveness and adhesion onto steel substrates. Different content aluminum/MDPE (medium density polyethylene) mixtures and processing parameters were studied as an attempt to identify the most promising parameters regarding their future application to produce coatings for the oil industry. The material characterization was carried out via mechanical testing (ASTM D638). The coating adhesion was evaluated by bend and ASTM C633-79 tensile tests. A microscopy evaluation of the coatings was also carried out. The produced films showed low friction surfaces and adequate adhesion to steel substrates. The presence of MAN (maleic anhydride) in the composite was responsible for the MDPE to recover its ductility, with a small increase of strength and rigidity, as well as a significant enhancement of coating adhesion to substrate

IFSS, TG, FT-IR spectra of impregnated sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres and mechanical properties of their composites.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of resin impregnation on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS), thermogravimetric (TG) and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres. In addition, the effect of resin impregnation on the mechanical properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites was also studied. The fibres were impregnated with UP via vacuum resin impregnation process at a pressure of 600 mmHg for 5 min. Composites of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % fibre loadings were fabricated and tested for tensile and flexural properties. It was observed that the impregnation process caused the fibres to be enclosed by UP resin and this gave a strong influence to the increase of its interfacial bonding by the increase of its IFSS from single fibre pull-out test. It was also observed with TG and FT-IR spectra that the impregnated fibre had lower moisture uptake than the control and there was no significant increase in thermal stability of the impregnated fibre. The sequence of fibre decomposition started from the evaporation of moisture, hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin and finally ash content and the presence of these components were proven by FT-IR spectra. For the composite specimens, due to the high interfacial bonding of the impregnated fibre and the matrix, the impregnated composites showed consistently higher tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength, flexural modulus and toughness than the control samples. It was also observed that 30 % fibre loading gave optimum properties

An Ecological Study of the Determinants of Differences in 2009 Pandemic Influenza Mortality Rates between Countries in Europe

Pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 mortality rates varied widely from one country to another. Our aim was to identify potential socioeconomic determinants of pandemic mortality and explain between-country variation.Based on data from a total of 30 European countries, we applied random-effects Poisson regression models to study the relationship between pandemic mortality rates (May 2009 to May 2010) and a set of representative environmental, health care-associated, economic and demographic country-level parameters. The study was completed by June 2010.Most regression approaches indicated a consistent, statistically significant inverse association between pandemic influenza-related mortality and per capita government expenditure on health. The findings were similar in univariable [coefficient: -0.00028, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -0.00046, -0.00010, p = 0.002] and multivariable analyses (including all covariates, coefficient: -0.00107, 95% CI: -0.00196, -0.00018, p = 0.018). The estimate was barely insignificant when the multivariable model included only significant covariates from the univariate step (coefficient: -0.00046, 95% CI: -0.00095, 0.00003, p = 0.063).Our findings imply a significant inverse association between public spending on health and pandemic influenza mortality. In an attempt to interpret the estimated coefficient (-0.00028) for the per capita government expenditure on health, we observed that a rise of 100 international dollars was associated with a reduction in the pandemic influenza mortality rate by approximately 2.8%. However, further work needs to be done to unravel the mechanisms by which reduced government spending on health may have affected the 2009 pandemic influenza mortality

Analysis of the fracture behavior of polypropylene: sawdust composites

Natural fiber reinforced composite is an emerging area in Polymer science. The use of lignocellulosic materials in thermoplastic composites may contribute to reduce the waste of vegetal biomass. The natural fibers are biodegradable, low cost materials having density and specific properties comparable to those of conventional fiber composites. In this work composites of polypropylene (PP) plus maleated polypropylene (MAPP) filled with sawdust were prepared under fixed processing conditions (mixing temperature, mixing time and rate of rotation). The composites were fractured by tension and the fracture mechanisms were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The SEM studies of the fractured surfaces of the composites indicate that the failure is due to fiber pull-out accompanied by tearing of the matrix; the pull-out increases with MAPP content

Scenario building as a process and tool in urban governance

Scenario building and related analysis is useful in several fields, ranging from military and business planning to its more recent applications in addressing global challenges such as climate change or economic crises. This chapter provides an overview of scenario building in urban governance. It introduces a corporate case (Shell) and then uses case studies on water and climate governance from the global South, specifically Lima (Peru), Guarulhos (Brazil), Durban (South Africa) and Dwarka (India) to illustrate the process of scenario building in practice. These case studies highlight the potential and challenges of scenario building as a process and tool in urban governance in fast-growing cities in emerging economies. The analysis reveals that the scenario-building process can be as important as its outcome, because the different perspectives of the participating actors, their understanding of the local context and mutual learning gained on the topic may influence their future plans and course of action. The socio-economic and political contexts of the cities under study play a significant role in shaping water governance issues, now and in the future

The Fundamentals : a testimony to the truth Vol. 8

Old Testament criticism and New Testament Christianity / Prof. W.H. Griffith Thomas Evolutionism in the pulpit / an occupant of the pew Decadence of Darwinism / Rev. Henry H. Beach Paul\u27s testimony to the doctrine of sin / Prof. Chas B. Williams The science of conversion / Rev. H.M. Sydenstricker The doctrinal value of the first chapters of Genesis / Rev. Dyson Hague The knowledge of God / Rev. David James Burrell Preach the Word / Howard Crosby Mormonism: its origin, characteristics, and doctrines / Rev. R.G. McNiecehttps://digitalcommons.biola.edu/the-fundamentals/1007/thumbnail.jp